Will history repeat itself in Nigeria U-23 beating Argentina, or the spirit of revenge invoked by the South Americans would prevail.
Nigeria U-23 will take on Argentina, who handed arch rival Brazil 3-0 in the second semi finals to book their place in the final cracker of the Male football event at the ongoing Beijing Olympic Games in Far East China
A Kanu Nwankwo inspired U-23 came from behind to deny Argentina victory at the final of the Atlanta Olympic games in 1996.
Abdulgafar Oladimeji went to town in the ancient city of Kano, sough ting the views of the football loving populace in the Pyramid city.
Excerpts are distinct views on the game
Usman Sanda – Coach Dabo Babes Football Club- National Amateur Divison One
My feeling about the Olympic games male football final coming up on Saturday morning is this, I am sure by the grace of God we would win against Argentina, Siasia is a good tactician, we have quality players, good midfielders, in the likes of Sani Keita, a very good attacking row in Osaze, Obasi, Nsofor and Anichebe.
Am convinced Nigeria will win the encounter.
Isha Allahu.
Abdulkadir Abdullahai a.k.a Owolabi- Official- Jigawa Goldent Stars Supporters Club
In my opinion our U-23 team will humiliate the Argentine s 3goals to nil. Insha Allah
With the way Siasia is handling the team, we can only achieve our objective which is winning the gold medal, we boast of quality players in the team, though, our attackers need to do more in their finishing touches.
I appeal to the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to reward these lads for the good job done, when they return home from China, where it possible the president should have traveled to China to watch the final between Nigeria and Argentina, this could have helped to motivate the U-23 team.
Nura O Really Team Manager Jarma Football Club- Kano State premier league side
We are proud of the present U-23 team tacking on Argentina in the Olympic Male Football event final, this cracker takes us back memory lane, when Nigeria edged Brazil in the semi-final and defeated Argentina in the final 3-2 to clinch Gold medal at the Atlanta 96 Olympic games.
I am urging our Nigeria players to invoke the spirit of Atlanta 96, they have completed their mission in China, what is left is for them to be decorated as Olympic champions, there by making history in repeating the defeat handed Argentina at the 1996 Olympic games Male football final.
The people of Northern Nigeria are strongly behind Sani Keita.
Isha Allah, we are confident, he will return home with an Olympic gold medal.
Salisu Ibrahim a.k.a Odiye Coach Red Eagles – Kano State
All our players need to do is to imbibe confidence when taking on Argentina on Saturday morning, they should take off their minds from the possibility of unfair officiating, this set of Nigerian players played against the same crop of Argentine players in the final game of the FIFA U-20 championship in Holland in 2005, here again they are clashing in the final of the male football event final in the Olympics. I am hopeful our Nigerian team will subdue them this time; I am wishing them all the best of luck.
Mallm Adams Engine Oil seller – Obasanjo Way Kano State
We are hopeful and there is no cause for alarm in the game against Argentina, God willing, we will thrash the Argentines by 3 goals to nil, our opponents (Argentina) rely solely on Lionel Messi, a tree does not make a forest, our boys are good, Nigerians should pray for them.
Awesu Hussaini – Councilor Community Development Fagge LocaL Government
I congratulate Nigerians on the wonderful performance posed by the team, secondly I am calling on our lads(Nigeria U-23) to give in their best as has been the case from the commencement of the competition, like having it at the back of their hearts that victory come s from God, therefore they should go for gold.
That the president is not credited to have commented on the success so far would not in any way affect their performance in the final against Argentina, the boys have a great heart for this nation(Nigeria), Though, had the president (Yar dua) made specific promise, it would encourage them the more, but, by the way the boys are all out, Insha Allah victory is ours.
Aliu Usman Aliu a.ka Headmaster- Secretary All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) Fagge Local Government Kano State
My opinion on the final match between Nigeria and Argentina is that I am hundred percent confident on the Nigerian team, my fear is the crafty style of play usually adopted by the Argentine s , when they come up against a highly physical side like Nigeria, they fall unnecessarily, they behave like women, when they are marked.
I am confident because we have a good coach, our boys have a good technique and discipline.
Definitely, President Yar adua failing to speak on their effort will affect the psychology of the boys, a statement from the president would really have motivated the boys the more, they have a great heart for this country Nigeria, even if they lose to Argentina, am satisfied with their performance so far, but I know for sure victory will come our way come Saturday morning in China.
Friday, August 22, 2008
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Kano Pillars Sing CAF champions league song
Pillars sing CAF champions league song
By Abdulgafar Oladimeji
In a build up toward launching a strong campaign in the CAF champions league next season, Kano Pillars football club would engage the services of experienced players from a list of targeted 18 players on its intended sign on list.
Speaking in an interview in Kano, the Kano Pillars henchman, Tukur Babangida admitted that his side will be going to the continental battlefield for the first time, this in his opinion makes it a Herculean task which must be tackled from all fronts. He said, “we have so many players in mind to strengthen our team for the African Club Championship, we have penciled down 18 players that we are going to invite, out of the 16, we hope to sign on 8”.
The Kano soccer warlords who were crowned champions for the first time in club history. Babangida disclosed is putting in efforts to embark on a training tour of Europe, all in view to better sharpen the pyramid lads technically against the fierce challenge they are bound to encounter next season at the local scene with their status as reigning champions and as the side hoisting Nigeria s flag on the continental scene next season.
A budget the club Caesar disclosed would be sent to the state government on how much is needed to carryout their onslaught this coming football season.
On their planned European tour he said that, talks are on with an agent who is expected to secure sponsors to bankroll the proposed training tour of Europe by Kano Pillars F.C.
Tukur Babangida dismissed the threat to their campaign next season by a rumored possible mass exit by the bulk of the core players who led the Green and Yellow Boys to clinching the Globalcom sponsored premier league last season, saying that, so far no player has applied or approach his led management for a transfer. In the case of the former 11-17 war horse, Bello Kofar Mata, the club chairman revealed is on his possible to Norway for trials.
He down played the rumor of veteran tactician Kadiri Ikhana parting ways with the club on completion of his contract, he said, “it is rumored that our coach is leaving, he has a contract till on the 27th of July, then we will know whether to strengthen our technical department for the CAF champions league”.
Kano pillar made history when they got crowned as double champions, when they carted home the supper 8 tourney trophy contest held in Kano.
The Kano side camp is expected to come alive from the 14th of this month for pre-season programme.
Ends.
By Abdulgafar Oladimeji
In a build up toward launching a strong campaign in the CAF champions league next season, Kano Pillars football club would engage the services of experienced players from a list of targeted 18 players on its intended sign on list.
Speaking in an interview in Kano, the Kano Pillars henchman, Tukur Babangida admitted that his side will be going to the continental battlefield for the first time, this in his opinion makes it a Herculean task which must be tackled from all fronts. He said, “we have so many players in mind to strengthen our team for the African Club Championship, we have penciled down 18 players that we are going to invite, out of the 16, we hope to sign on 8”.
The Kano soccer warlords who were crowned champions for the first time in club history. Babangida disclosed is putting in efforts to embark on a training tour of Europe, all in view to better sharpen the pyramid lads technically against the fierce challenge they are bound to encounter next season at the local scene with their status as reigning champions and as the side hoisting Nigeria s flag on the continental scene next season.
A budget the club Caesar disclosed would be sent to the state government on how much is needed to carryout their onslaught this coming football season.
On their planned European tour he said that, talks are on with an agent who is expected to secure sponsors to bankroll the proposed training tour of Europe by Kano Pillars F.C.
Tukur Babangida dismissed the threat to their campaign next season by a rumored possible mass exit by the bulk of the core players who led the Green and Yellow Boys to clinching the Globalcom sponsored premier league last season, saying that, so far no player has applied or approach his led management for a transfer. In the case of the former 11-17 war horse, Bello Kofar Mata, the club chairman revealed is on his possible to Norway for trials.
He down played the rumor of veteran tactician Kadiri Ikhana parting ways with the club on completion of his contract, he said, “it is rumored that our coach is leaving, he has a contract till on the 27th of July, then we will know whether to strengthen our technical department for the CAF champions league”.
Kano pillar made history when they got crowned as double champions, when they carted home the supper 8 tourney trophy contest held in Kano.
The Kano side camp is expected to come alive from the 14th of this month for pre-season programme.
Ends.
Alhaji Tukur Babangida is the chairman, Kano pillars football club. He spoke on the teams preparation for the African Club Championship and the next premier league season. He also commented on pillars feat as double champions and the motivations by the state government.
Below is the interview:
Congratulation on pillars double, the premier league and the supper 8. As league leader, your team will now participate in the African Club Championship where they will face other formidable things especially from the North-African Countries. How prepared are you for the challenges ahead?
Thank you very much, being a champion is not an easy thing and again it is not easy to maintain a position at the top because other clubs in that category will also be working towards being there and try to pull you down, so as far as we are concerned as the management of Kano pillars, we know we are going to have a Herculean task ahead of us, very challenging task, as I said apart from the local league where your are the champion we are going to play the African Club Championship where we are going to face champion clubs from different countries, that won’t be easy and again, this is the first time Kano is to participate in that competition. So, it is a very serious and challenging task ahead of us. Our intension as we are aware of the task ahead of us is to see the level of our players, their capabilities and their based on the recommendation by the technical crew, because we have to get a recommendation from them. It is the crew that will tell us the department where we are deficient and find ways of fortifying the department. As at today, we have a report from the technical adviser of Kano pillars and we are meeting, the pillars management to discuss the technical report and come out with our decisions on what we are going to do to strengthen Kano pillars. At the same time we intend to present our budget to the state, what we intend to spend as far as the league and championship are concerned. But for what we are going forward to the state what we intend to spend on the premier league. The NFA will still give us guidelines on the amount we are going to invest in the African Club Championship, but as you know during registration, we are not going to wait for tat because where you register for the African Club Championship. So our registration will contain both our premier league and Champion. By 13th of July Kano pillars will commence training. What we intend doing is to have both open and close contest before the competition and this training will start and from there we are going to play. The charity cup which is on the 26th July where ever we are going to have the annual general meeting.
Do you have any plan for international friendly as part of the build up?
You see, playing international friendliest is capital intensive, it is very expensive, however, we have been in touch with some agents who wanted us to go for some European tours, we are still talking but if we can get sponsorship to that effect we will definitely be happy, we will honour it.
Have you made efforts in getting some organizations to bankroll such Europe tour?
As I said earlier, we are in touch with an agent who is working out the possibilities of realizing this dream through sponsorship for marches in Europe. As I said, I have proposal for that but a lot of money is involved and we cannot afford such huge financial commitment now when we don’t have money to register our club, so that is why we are looking for sponsorship. If we get one, definitely we will honor it.
Like you rightly pointed out it is not getting to the top that is the issue put sustaining it, so what are your plains to keep the club on top for at least some time?
With the commitment of the government, the people of Kano state, supporters and well-wishers, with their players and financial banking and with the technical input by the technical crew we are going to maintain the position by the grace of God. Presently despite the fact that we have remours that our coach is leaving us, I know his contact will expire by the 27th of July; it is then that we will take a decisive action on how to strengthen our technical department. But as I said, with the commitment of the government and the people of Kano we are going to maintain that position.
What has the state government done specifically to appreciate the feat preformed by pillars as double champions?
Right from time, we on the part of the management we wrote to the government we put our request regarding players welfare, they also respond by approving it and making the money available. So, in appreciation of wining the cup, I am sure the government is planning some thing big for the boys. Some thing is the opting.
In the course of strengthening Kano pillars for the forth-coming premier league and African Championship, do you have plans for new players, what is your budget?
We have many players in mind but it doesn’t mean the players you have in mind will all come, some may come, some may not come, if they have better offer somewhere but as at now we have penciled down about 16 players what we are going to invite out of this numbers we may be able to have at least 8, but as I said, you may invite them so may come, some may not come. As soon as we start training, we shall invite the players and they will be in camp.
How true that some of your players are leaving for professional football abroad?
Professional football is a business; if a player wants to leave you can’t hold him back because you can’t force him to play for you. If any player wants to leave, we will allow him to go. As at this moment, apart from Bello Kofar-Mata whose agent wanted to take him to the Norway, there is no other player that I know of. But the rest is press speculation. No other clubs at players have contacted me for that purpose.
Chairman, what has been the relationship between the pillars management, the technical adviser, Kadiri Ikhana. Since his bribery outburst that has raised questions on the Nigerian football?
Right from the time, we have shared sound relationship, the chief coach and his crew, the management of pillars and players, it has been very cordial and up to this time, I think there is no bad feeling either by management or the coach. We have been maintaining our cordial relationship and we will continue to maintain it.
If you have your way, will you press the coach to remain in pillars?
If I have my way, I would love him to remain in pillars because it is with his efforts pillars were able to achieve such feat for the first time, so, it will not be nice for such coach to leave like that, in my opinion, he ought to have stayed till the end of the African Championship, to guide the players. At least he could have remained for two (2) seasons. But, if he insists on going, there is nothing we can do.
How much of a pressure is the management putting to keep him?
We are still discussing with him, since his contact is not yet over, we want after his contact expires, but we have been having fruitful discussion, like I said, we are still talking. For now, we are on recess, when we are pack he too will be back and we will talk.
What would you say inspired pillars to such wonderful performance last season?
Is commitment, dedication from players, coaching crew and management, supporters and the government which is the sols sponsorship, they release finds on time to the club.
Below is the interview:
Congratulation on pillars double, the premier league and the supper 8. As league leader, your team will now participate in the African Club Championship where they will face other formidable things especially from the North-African Countries. How prepared are you for the challenges ahead?
Thank you very much, being a champion is not an easy thing and again it is not easy to maintain a position at the top because other clubs in that category will also be working towards being there and try to pull you down, so as far as we are concerned as the management of Kano pillars, we know we are going to have a Herculean task ahead of us, very challenging task, as I said apart from the local league where your are the champion we are going to play the African Club Championship where we are going to face champion clubs from different countries, that won’t be easy and again, this is the first time Kano is to participate in that competition. So, it is a very serious and challenging task ahead of us. Our intension as we are aware of the task ahead of us is to see the level of our players, their capabilities and their based on the recommendation by the technical crew, because we have to get a recommendation from them. It is the crew that will tell us the department where we are deficient and find ways of fortifying the department. As at today, we have a report from the technical adviser of Kano pillars and we are meeting, the pillars management to discuss the technical report and come out with our decisions on what we are going to do to strengthen Kano pillars. At the same time we intend to present our budget to the state, what we intend to spend as far as the league and championship are concerned. But for what we are going forward to the state what we intend to spend on the premier league. The NFA will still give us guidelines on the amount we are going to invest in the African Club Championship, but as you know during registration, we are not going to wait for tat because where you register for the African Club Championship. So our registration will contain both our premier league and Champion. By 13th of July Kano pillars will commence training. What we intend doing is to have both open and close contest before the competition and this training will start and from there we are going to play. The charity cup which is on the 26th July where ever we are going to have the annual general meeting.
Do you have any plan for international friendly as part of the build up?
You see, playing international friendliest is capital intensive, it is very expensive, however, we have been in touch with some agents who wanted us to go for some European tours, we are still talking but if we can get sponsorship to that effect we will definitely be happy, we will honour it.
Have you made efforts in getting some organizations to bankroll such Europe tour?
As I said earlier, we are in touch with an agent who is working out the possibilities of realizing this dream through sponsorship for marches in Europe. As I said, I have proposal for that but a lot of money is involved and we cannot afford such huge financial commitment now when we don’t have money to register our club, so that is why we are looking for sponsorship. If we get one, definitely we will honor it.
Like you rightly pointed out it is not getting to the top that is the issue put sustaining it, so what are your plains to keep the club on top for at least some time?
With the commitment of the government, the people of Kano state, supporters and well-wishers, with their players and financial banking and with the technical input by the technical crew we are going to maintain the position by the grace of God. Presently despite the fact that we have remours that our coach is leaving us, I know his contact will expire by the 27th of July; it is then that we will take a decisive action on how to strengthen our technical department. But as I said, with the commitment of the government and the people of Kano we are going to maintain that position.
What has the state government done specifically to appreciate the feat preformed by pillars as double champions?
Right from time, we on the part of the management we wrote to the government we put our request regarding players welfare, they also respond by approving it and making the money available. So, in appreciation of wining the cup, I am sure the government is planning some thing big for the boys. Some thing is the opting.
In the course of strengthening Kano pillars for the forth-coming premier league and African Championship, do you have plans for new players, what is your budget?
We have many players in mind but it doesn’t mean the players you have in mind will all come, some may come, some may not come, if they have better offer somewhere but as at now we have penciled down about 16 players what we are going to invite out of this numbers we may be able to have at least 8, but as I said, you may invite them so may come, some may not come. As soon as we start training, we shall invite the players and they will be in camp.
How true that some of your players are leaving for professional football abroad?
Professional football is a business; if a player wants to leave you can’t hold him back because you can’t force him to play for you. If any player wants to leave, we will allow him to go. As at this moment, apart from Bello Kofar-Mata whose agent wanted to take him to the Norway, there is no other player that I know of. But the rest is press speculation. No other clubs at players have contacted me for that purpose.
Chairman, what has been the relationship between the pillars management, the technical adviser, Kadiri Ikhana. Since his bribery outburst that has raised questions on the Nigerian football?
Right from the time, we have shared sound relationship, the chief coach and his crew, the management of pillars and players, it has been very cordial and up to this time, I think there is no bad feeling either by management or the coach. We have been maintaining our cordial relationship and we will continue to maintain it.
If you have your way, will you press the coach to remain in pillars?
If I have my way, I would love him to remain in pillars because it is with his efforts pillars were able to achieve such feat for the first time, so, it will not be nice for such coach to leave like that, in my opinion, he ought to have stayed till the end of the African Championship, to guide the players. At least he could have remained for two (2) seasons. But, if he insists on going, there is nothing we can do.
How much of a pressure is the management putting to keep him?
We are still discussing with him, since his contact is not yet over, we want after his contact expires, but we have been having fruitful discussion, like I said, we are still talking. For now, we are on recess, when we are pack he too will be back and we will talk.
What would you say inspired pillars to such wonderful performance last season?
Is commitment, dedication from players, coaching crew and management, supporters and the government which is the sols sponsorship, they release finds on time to the club.
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